NL East Links: Lopez, Beltran, Baez, Braves

Six years ago today, two NL East clubs pulled off a rare intra-division trade when the Phillies sent Marlon Byrd to the Nationals for Endy Chavez. Byrd hit .245/.318/.366 in 471 plate appearances with the Nats before signing with Texas as a free agent while Chavez hit .215/.243/.299 in 118 plate appearances with Philadelphia. He moved on to the Mets as a free agent after the season.

Let's check in on the latest news from the only division with three 21+ win teams…

The Braves are likely to wait until tomorrow to put Brandon Beachy on the disabled list after he left yesterday's start with a strained oblique according to Dave O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Twitterlinks). He says they'll add Scott Proctor to the bullpen, who will fill the final spot on the 40-man roster, then possibly use Mike Minor in Beachy's place since Rodrigo Lopez would require a 40-man move. Julio Teheran is another 40-man roster option as well, says MLB.com's Mark Bowman.

I don’t see why the Yankees would even want Beltran. He’s not really enough of an uprade over their current outfielders to justify trading some great prospects, and they already have probably the best offense in the game. If anything, they should be trying to get a SP.

I agree with this. Beltran doesn’t particularly fill a need for the Yankees. Texas, San Francisco, heck, maybe even Cleveland with Sizemore’s OTHER knee causing him problems might be a better fit.

If they deal him it’s clearly going to be a salary dump; something I’d probably do later in the season for some good low minors talent. Or they can just wait a bit and see if a contender loses a key outfielder-then ask for a ransom. Of course all bets are off if Beltran shows signs of ineffectiveness or injury. Maybe now is the time to find that trade partner.

You realize you’re talking about the Yankees. When was the last time money mattered to them. With their tv deal, ticket sales, team endorsements, as merch sales from their huge fan base they practically print their own money.

Really depends on what they have to give up for Beltran…if Klaassen’s Fangraphs article is accurate, you’re only looking at about two C-grade prospects to acquire Beltran.

With the added depth, the Yankees could use one of their OFs in a deal for a starting pitcher rather than giving up a bunch of higher-grade prospects. It’s perhaps the only area of trade-able strength on the major league club at this time, as the infielders aren’t going anywhere and the bench and bullpen personnel aren’t going to draw a legitimate top-end starter.

I doubt Rodrigo Lopez would be a safer bet than two of the top pitching prospects in baseball. If this were August or September, I might agree with you simply because Minor and Teheran haven’t been really stretched out. But right now, I’d say Minor is the best option. It’s just a few starts, so it’s not worth risking $1 million on.

I feel the extra seasoning will allow Minor to be more consistent and confident this time around, with Lopez you know what you’re getting-4.50 ERA with ok stuff and great control while Minor on his best days could replicate Cole Hamels.

Here’s where the Braves’ pitching depth comes in handy. If Beachy needs a DL stint, I think Minor is the best choice, followed by Lopez and Teheran. I know Teheran is already on the 40-man, but I want him to be handled/developed correctly and decisively. No constant yo-yoing back and forth from AAA to MLB or shifting from rotation to pen, etc. (not that that has happened yet).

Hopefully Danys Baez is gone soon it will be one less thing that runs my blood pressure up terrible signing by Ruben Amaro jr. However if I remember this right Danys Baez was recommended by Charlie Manuel.